(CNN) - Hundreds of African refugees have been released from captivity in the Sinai Peninsula and allowed to cross from Egypt into Israel, shortly after a CNN report detailed the horrendous conditions the migrants face.

The report, "Death in the Desert," which was first published online in early November and broadcast on CNN International on November 5, showed evidence that African refugees, mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, were being held captive by Bedouin human traffickers in Sinai, who try to extort massive sums of money from the refugees’ families for their release.

While in captivity the refugees are enslaved, many of the women raped and some even killed. The CNN crew even found evidence that some victims had organs extracted, a practice known as organ harvesting, and were later found dead in the desert.

Shortly after the report, more than 600 African refugees were released in Sinai, says Hamdi al Azzazy, an activist for the New Generation Foundation for Human Rights who has worked for years in the region, fighting to improve the plight of the African refugees.

His account was backed up by a press release from the EveryOne Group, an Italian non-governmental organization, which has also been raising public awareness about the refugees.

It said that after the CNN report, "many chief-traffickers were afraid of being pursued by the authorities and on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 decided to release most of the groups of refugees they were holding prisoner."

The Sinai Desert is a vast and lawless area where the Egyptian state has virtually no presence and it is nearly impossible to fully verify the accounts.

The chief, who has asked not to be named said: "I heard the Sawarka's members involved in this dirty business released more than 600 Africans without them having to pay the ransoms and sent them to the Israeli border due to pressure from the intelligence service, including hundreds who were freed from the house of the assassinated dealer in Nekhel. He has been selling their organs and they found lots of weapons."

EveryOne Group says the alleged trafficker in people and human organs - known as "The Sultan" - was killed in a shootout with some Bedouins of another tribe, who were attempting to free a group of Eritrean refugees.

An Egyptian general, who asked not to be named, told CNN that Egypt's national security agencies were "tracking the rings of organized criminals involved in human trafficking but remain perplexed regarding who exactly is harvesting the organs and where they have been sold."

He said the investigation included "both the Egyptian intelligence and the National Security apparatus because it involves several countries and is not just an internal issue."

The UNHCR, which attempts to keep track of refugees crossing from Egypt to Israel, has confirmed that about 650 refugees have recently crossed the border.

Peter Deck, the Senior Protection Officer for the UNHCR in Tel Aviv, said it was impossible to tell why so many refugees were suddenly crossing the border or what role CNN's Freedom Project program may have played in people getting released from Bedouin detention camps, but he added that November was on track to becoming a record for the most crossings by refugees from Egypt to Israel.

He said that aside from the sheer numbers, the conditions had also changed. Many of those who crossed into Israel had stayed in Sinai for about a week, whereas usually the African refugees are held in Bedouin camps for months, and that most had paid substantially less to be allowed to pass then is normally the case.

Another change he noted was: "We didn’t have any refugees complain of severe physical abuse or violence… something seems to be different in those Bedouin camps."

The American University in Cairo is hosting a conference this weekend at which a delegation from The International Criminal Court will address human trafficking through Africa, Sinai, and Israel.

soundoff(327 Responses)

I think that this section on CNNs website is important because it addresses the major social issues in this world. I commend CNN for writing about this social issues. Another issue that I would like to read about more often is Child Abuse and Child Slavery. I feel that it is time to talk about that issue and the potential of banning corporal punishment in the US and abroad.

Banning corporal punishment… yea there is a good idea. As if America isn’t already full of self centered emo children. PC police to the rescue…or was that repression?

November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm |

CalgarySandy

These are terrible things and they should be stopped here and abroad. You do not, however, have the right to tell other countries what they must ban. You only have the right to suggest or lobby. As your own Christian Fundamentalists practice corporeal punishment as demanded by their religion and the Old Testament I suggest you start your banning in your own country. Legalize drugs so you will have room in the jails for all these abusive parents and churches.

November 17, 2011 at 3:53 pm |

John in NY

Wow! Talk about a left turn, you take a story about kidnapping, murder, rape and illegal organ harvesting and end on a rant about corporal punishment in the US?

Obviously someone's off their meds!

November 17, 2011 at 4:40 pm |

No...Calgary

@Calgary – I think you have the bible out of context. Remember, there are TWO halves.

November 17, 2011 at 5:00 pm |

Chris

Calgarysandy you are to much. Holy wow

November 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm |

queuebert

There are two halves. One written to fit the needs and understanding of the world 3500 years ago, and one to fit the needs and understanding of the world 2000 years ago. I think it's time for a... third half? Because a lot of people are taking the guidance of writers from two millenniums ago as unshakable truth, and trying to force it on everyone else.

November 17, 2011 at 8:19 pm |

Brian, Detroit, MI

Slavery will never end!!! Too many people are stupid enough to keep slaves because they are far cheaper than actual employees. The far right will never let slaves get the right to freedom. Republicans are the slavers of this economy. Republicans will never let slaves go.

November 17, 2011 at 11:16 pm |

lilly

I agree with Jessica. Thank you CNN for bringing us real news, real issues people *really* care about. And yes that there are other topics to address. Good job CNN. Keep up the work and I'll continue to watch/read you!

November 18, 2011 at 6:13 am |

RAY

@Jessica,

You may want to read the article in the parenting section on corporal punishment for children. It's interesting. Seek and you shall find.🙂

November 20, 2011 at 11:55 pm |

bend

Kudos, CNN

I get so sick and tired of front page stories about puppies and pop stars on all the media pages, but you guys are actually doing legit human service through the Freedom Project.

No. We just live in a world where some effed up things happen. The world as a whole isn't broken.. just some individuals living in it.

November 17, 2011 at 4:17 pm |

Chris

You're right.

November 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm |

Lily

Chris I would often think that. It makes me sick to my stomach what's going on in the world. It really got to me over a year ago...then the CNN Freedom Project began and I became aware that many other orgs and individuals are fighting this and the many other issues that need attention. It gave me hope to know there are people out there fighingn this. I read a quote last week about how all the bad people out in the world need to perpetuate their wrong-doings is for the good people of the world to do nothing. So we all need to turn our feelings into action in whatever way we can given our resources (limited free time, money...) increasing awareness to start with.

November 18, 2011 at 6:24 am |

someone

There is no free passage to Israel.

I was serving in reserve on Israeli border.

Egyptian soldiers don't have any problem to shoot refugees to kill.

Israelis are patrolling the borders and they see someone they won't allow crossing as well.

Border crossing can only be done with the help of bedouins who know the terrain and know how to avoid Egyptian and Israeli patrols.

This letter has been circulating around in the USA and Israel – My name is A.A. I am 25 years old, was born in Brooklyn NY, and raised in Efrat Israel. Though very busy, I don’t view my life as unusual. Most of the time, I am just another Israeli citizen. During the day I work as a paramedic in Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMS service. At night, I’m in my first year of law school. I got married this October and am starting a new chapter of life together with my wonderful wife S.
15-20 days out of every year, I'm called up to the Israeli army to do my reserve duty. I serve as a paramedic in an IDF paratrooper unit. My squad is made up of others like me; people living normal lives who step up to serve whenever responsibility calls. The oldest in my squad is 58, a father of four girls and grandfather of two; there are two bankers, one engineer, a holistic healer, and my 24 year old commander who is still trying to figure out what to do with his life. Most of the year we are just normal people living our lives, but for 15-20 days each year we are soldiers on the front lines preparing for a war that we hope we never have to fight.
This year, our reserve unit was stationed on the border between Israel, Egypt and the Gaza Strip in an area called “Kerem Shalom.” Above and beyond the “typical” things for which we train – war, terrorism, border infiltration, etc., this year we were confronted by a new challenge. Several years ago, a trend started of African refugees crossing the Egyptian border from Sinai into Israel to seek asylum from the atrocities in Darfur. What started out as a small number of men, women and children fleeing from the machetes of the Janjaweed and violent fundamentalists to seek a better life elsewhere, turned into an organized industry of human trafficking. In return for huge sums of money, sometimes entire life savings paid to Bedouin “guides,” these refugees are promised to be transported from Sudan, Eritrea, and other African countries through Egypt and the Sinai desert, into the safe haven of Israel.
We increasingly hear horror stories of the atrocities these refugees suffer on their way to freedom. They are subject to, and victims of extortion, rape, murder, and even organ theft, their bodies left to rot in the desert. Then, if lucky, after surviving this gruesome experience whose prize is freedom, when only a barbed wire fence separates them from Israel and their goal, they must go through the final death run and try to evade the bullets of the Egyptian soldiers stationed along the border. Egypt’s soldiers are ordered to shoot to kill anyone trying to cross the border OUT of Egypt and into Israel. It’s an almost nightly event.
For those who finally get across the border, the first people they encounter are Israeli soldiers, people like me and those in my unit, who are tasked with a primary mission of defending the lives of the Israeli people. On one side of the border soldiers shoot to kill. On the other side, they know they will be treated with more respect than in any of the countries they crossed to get to this point.
The region where it all happens is highly sensitive and risky from a security point of view, an area stricken with terror at every turn. It’s just a few miles south of the place where Gilad Shalit was kidnapped. And yet the Israeli soldiers who are confronted with these refugees do it not with rifles aimed at them, but with a helping hand and an open heart. The refugees are taken to a nearby IDF base, given clean clothes, a hot drink, food and medical attention. They are finally safe.
Even though I live in Israel and am aware through media reports of the events that take place on the Egyptian border, I never understood the intensity and complexity of the scenario until I experienced it myself.
In the course of the past few nights, I have witnessed much. At 9:00 PM last night, the first reports came in of gunfire heard from the Egyptian border. Minutes later, IDF scouts spotted small groups of people trying to get across the fence. In the period of about one hour, we picked up 13 men – cold, barefoot, dehydrated – some wearing nothing except underpants. Their bodies were covered with lacerations and other wounds. We gathered them in a room, gave them blankets, tea and treated their wounds. I don’t speak a word of their language, but the look on their faces said it all and reminded me once again why I am so proud to be a Jew and an Israeli. Sadly, it was later determined that the gunshots we heard were deadly, killing three others fleeing for their lives.
During the 350 days a year when I am not on active duty, when I am just another man trying to get by, the people tasked with doing this amazing job, this amazing deed, the people witnessing these events, are mostly young Israeli soldiers just out of high school, serving their compulsory time in the IDF, some only 18 years old.
The refugees flooding into Israel are a heavy burden on our small country. More than 100,000 refugees have fled this way, and hundreds more cross the border every month. The social, economic, and humanitarian issues created by this influx of refugees are immense. There are serious security consequences for Israel as well. This influx of African refugees poses a crisis for Israel. Israel has yet to come up with the solutions required to deal with this crisis effectively, balancing its’ sensitive social, economic, and security issues, at the same time striving to care for the refugees.
I don’t have the answers to these complex problems which desperately need to be resolved. I’m not writing these words with the intention of taking a political position or a tactical stand on the issue.
I am writing to tell you and the entire world what’s really happening down here on the Egyptian/Israeli border. And to tell you that despite all the serious problems created by this national crisis, these refugees have no reason to fear us. Because they know, as the entire world needs to know, that Israel has not shut its eyes to their suffering and pain. Israel has not looked the other way. The State of Israel has put politics aside to take the ethical and humane path as it has so often done before, in every instance of human suffering and natural disasters around the globe. We Jews know only too well about suffering and pain. The Jewish people have been there. We have been the refugees and the persecuted so many times, over thousands of years, all over the world.
Today, when African refugees flood our borders in search of freedom and better lives, and some for fear of their lives, it is particularly noteworthy how Israel deals with them, despite the enormous strain it puts on our country on so many levels.
Our young and thriving Jewish people and country, built from the ashes of the Holocaust, do not turn their backs on humanity. Though I already knew that, this week I once again experienced it firsthand. I am overwhelmed with emotion and immensely proud to be a member of this nation.
A.A. – Writing from the Israel/Gaza/Egyptian border.

Your text as well as the whole feeling coming out of it is heartwarming! Thank you!!!

November 19, 2011 at 6:25 am |

Yonas

thank you for having the heart and courage to be a good human. Meeting these people im sure you have gotten to see the good nature and innocent these people are.What the Egyptian guard is doing is nothing worse than the Bedouns hopefully more good people like you would rise up and together we can finally put these people with evil nature put away one at a time.

November 19, 2011 at 5:33 pm |

Harald Schmidt

You are the best ambassador Israel has... God bless you, the refugees and Israel.

November 23, 2011 at 12:54 pm |

leblab

God bless Israel!

December 15, 2011 at 10:52 pm |

fares

about 100.000 saw the freedom in israil can you tell me how many of them join the israil army ? in this world nothing for free....

December 16, 2011 at 1:36 am |

Zendi

Appalling...my heart bleeds for the refugees! Risking their lives, though survival chance is slim. Luckily, for those who successfully made it through the borders, the Jews are playing Good Samaritans and ready to rescue them... @Josh, thanks for detailing the horrible conditions that the migrants had been through in crossing the borders just to gain freedom. It is an eye-opener, a glaring reality that barbarism is still practiced until now. I pray this dreadful things would end soon!

December 17, 2011 at 8:43 am |

Where is Obama????

Where is our President in speaking out for these atrocities??? I voted for change in 2008 and all I got was a chump who doesn't lead. We need a real leader in the WH. Shame on Obama.

Not to mention craking down on illegals, and trying to get the LATINO Vote. What a fool.

November 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm |

Todd in DC

You do realize that it wasn't Palestine that eventually rescued those people, it was Israel.

November 17, 2011 at 3:54 pm |

Miami1111

@Todd in DC: well that's logical, considering the Palestinians don't even have 1% of the economic strength of Israel. Isn't it?

November 17, 2011 at 4:02 pm |

anoynomous

ok first of all obama is not on drugs second he is trying to stop waterboarding which is in fact torture

November 17, 2011 at 4:02 pm |

Ron

@Anonymous: you don't read very well do you. The poster was blaming Obama for raiding pot dispensaries in California, which his is doing, despite promising that he would not. And what to do you mean "trying" stop waterboarding. All he "really" has to do in that case is issue an executive order saying "no waterboarding allowed" and that is it. Heck, he even refused to stop the rendition camps and other practices. Lots of talk to get elected. Zero action.

November 17, 2011 at 4:31 pm |

wassamatteru11

Water boarding is only torture if you do it wrong, I was able to do a triple flip at about 40 mph, on a short wakeboard in rough water.

November 17, 2011 at 5:06 pm |

Delmar H. Knudson

I did not and do not support Obama; but he is bound to discontinue aid to the Palestinians by American law if the Palestinians achieve statehood without an agreement with the state of Israel. He doesn't want to discontinue aid, and so must fight Palestinian statehood. Gitmo is a very difficult question; much easier to give flippant idealogical answers, no matter how absurd. We have a surfeit of ignorant, and even stupid comments from the far left and the far right.

November 17, 2011 at 5:09 pm |

Eli

We dont need another Muslim state in the world they have over 60 and so far every one of them is high on violations of human rights, their is no such people as Palestinians they are Jordanians and Egyptians just like the people who enslaved these black refugees. A Fakeastinian state would only be another country on the list of war crimes and crimes against humanity, if anything we should eradicate Muslims everywhere, this video above should be a wake up call to what a Palestine would look like.

November 17, 2011 at 10:39 pm |

Ramrod

Just like a bicycle race. It is easy to catch up and pass, very hard to lead up front.

You people amaze me......its a wonder this country has survived as long as it has with the idioits i see on these blogs everyday....disgusting...

November 17, 2011 at 1:03 pm |

Crocker

What it shows is that this country has way too many idiots – all with the right to vote. That's how we got saddled with this particular teleprompter in chief... er commander in chief.....

November 17, 2011 at 1:36 pm |

someone

i agree with u all the way up untill not a leader, he's got great ideas but is not able to pass them due to political opponents, so basically if his ideas were passed, this country wouldn't be in the trouble it is now

November 17, 2011 at 4:16 pm |

Ron

@someone: Just what do you think being a leader IS? He has always stayed VERY partisan in his leadership. Clinton got things done in the face of HEAVY GOP resistance. Reagan got things done with BOTH houses being Democrat. His being a poor leader is NOT someone else's fault.

November 17, 2011 at 4:35 pm |

SeeThruIt2

To SOMEONE: We live in a Republic where the President must learn to lead by CONVINCING our representatives (Congressmen and Senators) to pass the laws. Past Presidents have been able to do this by working with Congress, even when their party wasn't in control. But, this president seems to think he can take it to the people/press to get his way. He seems to think mob rule is the way to get things done.

November 17, 2011 at 4:46 pm |

wassamatteru11

I figured that if we were able to survive Carter's regime, we could survive anything. But now with this idiot in power, and seeing the supporters he, I'm getting really worried, and waiting for my firearms license to be approved as soon as possible. Looks like we the people are going to have to protect ourselves from all.

November 17, 2011 at 5:10 pm |

dave

President Obama has a lot more to think about compared to a tiny handful of Africans in the Sinai.

Maybe Geo. W. Bush could have started a WAR AND KILLED 4000 AMERICAN TROOPS TO SAVE THESE 600

You are absolutely right, Obama also has too much to worry about than trying to please the 40 million or so Black Americans whom he promised change but he's only continuing the Bush/Chaney Policies around the world. He has too much to worry about than to please all the working middle class who also supported him. So Mr Obama just keep on worrying about these other things and hopefully at next years election we the Black & Middle Class Voters will remember what you have done for us. NOTHING

November 17, 2011 at 4:14 pm |

someone

completely agree with u, well said dave, of course though i'm not saying it was right to stand by and watch this happen but we still have more important stuff that needs to be done

November 17, 2011 at 4:20 pm |

ted

Obama speaks constantly on human rights! What you have is a media that never covers him. If you want to know what your president is up to go to Europe and watch tv...or better yet try reading!

Yeah.....we need a strong intelligent leader like George W Bush was! I see great things in the current crop of GOP candidates!!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cain and Gingrich might lead us to the women's lingerie section.

Idiot: just because Obama hasn't personally called you to tell you what he does on a daily basis doesn't mean he's doing nothing. Get involved, find out, contribute something other than stupid comments. FYI, Obama committed $20 million for Gaza refugee efforts through the State Department's U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) fund set up in accordance to the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. Pres. Bush did the same thing more than once during his administration.

There is no sense in trying to reason with mindless Obama haters on this thread. If they had half a brain they would be ashamed of the conservative circus clowns, one more stupid and corrupt than the other, running for the presidency. I give Obama so much credit for the dignity he displays. We are lucky to have him at this tumultuous time. God help us if the repubs get control of the gov't. You think things are bad now, at least we're moving [slowly] in the right direction, the repubs will dismantle every safety net that still exists – as it is they've defunded gov't with their tax cuts so much so that we're broke. What the hell is their end game I'd like to know.

November 17, 2011 at 5:11 pm |

Hagrid

When will people wake up and realize that the WH is nothing more than a front for legalized crime. Even Presidents with the best of intentions is limited in power and must follow the agenda of the rich. I really don't even know why we vote anymore, it's sinceless. The "Occupy" movement is the first of any real effort, though, they will fail because they don't realize the only way to force change is through economic boycotts. If we ban together and stop buying key products, it will force great change.

"If we ban together and stop buying key products, it will force great change."

I understand blaming the rich and successful is easy (also stupid and lazy, since the focus is usually on the super rich (~.02%) and no one bothers to dig into the history of how they and their families became super rich)....but wow. You realize that if people suddenly stop being consumers then well...the entire economy collapses and ONLY those with control of the resources (read "da rich") will survive in it right? I mean 10% unemployment is bad, why would 40% unemployment be a good way out?

If you want slow down the world become self-sufficient. This means turning off the computer, as it is not in fact a necessity for life, and finding a way to not rely on any system. You will be going back on the social-evolutionary chart about 150 years, realize that kind of life is much harder, and quit before you take the first step cause your too lazy or stupid to try.....but you will also honestly and truly no longer be supporting the system that you hate so much.

By and by, life quality and life span in the US is and has been amongst the best in ALL of human history. True freedom comes at a great price, it means you have to tolerate others in their freedoms. Try it some time. Maybe you'll spend less of your time hating others for your problems and more time SOLVING your problems.

November 17, 2011 at 4:14 pm |

JomoDaMusicMan

@ TWM, Did I hear u right. Not shop on Black Friday, that would be unamerican and racist. iF u stay home on BLACK FRIDAY me & my posse (MADE UP OF 1%'s, C.I.A., C.E.O.'S, BANKERS & WALL STREET EXECUTIVES & TEABAGGERS LED BY HERMAN CAIN) Will come over to yo house and beat the hell out've

November 17, 2011 at 4:30 pm |

IreneNY

Hagrid, witht he rise in wealth in prior third world countries I don't think corporations need our money that much anymore. it is the small businesses that would be hurt and your neighbors who will be out of jobs. OWS needs to grow and occupy congress and their congressional offices, where the corruption begins. Our gov't has become pay to play, and they are selling off our public lands, monuments, our great treasures to the highest bidder, even foreign. There are no ethics any more it appears. Everyone is doing it, out for themselves and eff everyone else. Just great!

November 17, 2011 at 5:17 pm |

10th Gen Patriot

Written like a true uneducated left-wing nut. It's "senseless" not "sinceless." Probably another lazy bum who's relying on my hard-earned tax dollars for handouts. How else could these "Occupy" losers find time to defecate on PUBLIC property? If you boycott American businesses, you put more people out of work...make more people dependent upon an over-strained support system...and reduce revenue (income tax, social security) required to make any of it function.

GO OUT AND SUPPORT AMERICAN BUSINESSES. BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. Increased demand and business revenue leads to more jobs and more national revenue. Then maybe we'll have the personal and national resources to be the world leader that we once were. Then maybe we can help those unfortunate souls who are suffering around the world. But not until we help ourselves.

Don't like what's going on in our country? Look to your leaders and demand better. Demand responsible spending – which means spending on NECESSARY expenses. Anything not considered absolutely necessary for the survival, basic function, and safety of our people is a luxury until things are better.

Go occupy the white house and congress until they get it right. Stop trying to punish those of us who are trying to keep our country running – the little guy who's working his/her a$$ off, paying the bills, MAKING the mortgage payment, supporting our families and communities. Stop attacking the companies who are employing us. Punish those who are making it difficult for us to thrive – the "leaders" in Washington DC (on both sides of the aisle.)

And once and for all, please stand on your own two feet, and stop depending upon me to pay your way.

November 19, 2011 at 10:54 am |

JR

So which of these clowns that are running against him do you support then?

Easy any of them would be a far better choice as a President than Mr. Obama. Like someone said above nice guy, absolutely no experience. He is making Jimmy Carter look good.

November 17, 2011 at 2:32 pm |

JomoDaMusicMan

Some independant has to step up because this current crop of GOP contenders are complete garbage. I wouldn't vote for any of them for Dog Catcher. But many people are forgetting that at the convention someone of good statue could get drafted to serve.

November 17, 2011 at 4:37 pm |

TnT

haha i agree but it has been entertaining with alot of humour and drama. I forgot his name one of the guys the one with 999 tax plan, wondering if that was inspired by the common 9.99 pizza deals, any topping any size.

"Where is Obama?" On vacation AGAIN. Oh yes, it is a "working" vacation. Still he is NOT in his office working like he should be, like a real leader in command would be. He really does think he is the King of America.

Oh please, enough with the vacation crap. Its not even a working vacation, its trying to open foreign markets for American businesses. Its what all presidents do, nothing remarkable about Obama doing it to.

November 17, 2011 at 1:51 pm |

TWM

Cedarrapids wrong answer it is listed as yet another vacation, he is trying to make it seem better than it is by attempting to spend more of our money and to give away more of our businesses while there.

November 17, 2011 at 2:38 pm |

Leaf on the Wind

Y'all must be more "up" on current events that I. I thought President Obama was in Australia where he's establishing a Marine Corp base near Darwin to keep a closer eye on China. China is grumbling about it, so it must be a good thing, don't you think?

And I'm sure you were yapping about all the vacations Shrub took, right? And he is not on vacation. He's setting up a militarty base in Australia

Adjust your tin foil hat please,

November 17, 2011 at 4:04 pm |

JomoDaMusicMan

Obama, is in Northern Australia signing a treaty sending several hundred american troops to Northern Aus. But the troops will be relieved every 3 months by a new set of troops. Obama, wants to show the Aussies that we can compete with China in the Pacific

November 17, 2011 at 4:42 pm |

JomoDaMusicMan

Of course, China could drop 3 million new born babies on top of the 350 american troops in Australia and that would crush all of them to death.

November 17, 2011 at 4:45 pm |

Starman

Absolutely. These atrocities must stop. Obama should meet with the tribal chief and demand an end to all this. Then he could palaver with the Somalian pirates and insist they find jobs or face the consequences. On his way back home, he could get together with the Mexican druglords and call a halt to all of their illegal activities. We need action.

Obama's main priority is to protect American people and to make sure it doesnt happen to American people as a president is supposed to do. He is not elected to protect the world... we cant .. others need to step up.. u dummy ... shame on u

Sure thing Nan each would be better for the USA than Mr. partisan himself. Cain has business experience so his ideas might ( Big Might ) bring some much needed change into the economy.

November 17, 2011 at 2:40 pm |

Everything in Moderation

Thin thread there, troll. Out of all the many of news stories today, this one was not mentioned and the actions of the bad guys (not state, guys) condemned by the President of a (as in one of the many) countries this particular story DID NOT take place in. Do you think you convince ANY reasonable person that Obama sucks with your post on a slavery article?

Do you think you do this matter any kind of justice, serve it any kind of respect dragging your premeditated condemnation of the leader of the OTHER party in your small monochrome little world?

Oh, yeah. I've seen the posts replying to it. I'm not convinced they exist outside of your head, but even if you did manage to strike a chord with the Foxnews crowd outside of the playpen, you still haven't made sense to anybody who can think on their own.

What, exactly do you expect Obama to do about this? Should we station a battalion of marines in the Sinai to facilitate the illegal border crossing of these refugees? This is not our problem ,and none of our business. Obama has plenty else to keep him occupied.

I want to see Obama gone as much as the next guy – but can we agree Obama isnt in charge of ruling the world? Lets take a page from Ron Paul's campaign (who i wouldnt vote for) and let the USA come first – Obama and any future presdients need to govern and keep our interests at the front of their agenda.

I guess your all correct. We should all forget about everything and continue to pretent nothing is happening an just hope someone else will take care of things for us or them. Just like the Penn State thing all those kids could only wish someone would stand up for them and give a damn... When is anything anyone else's responsibility? As soon as you know about it... Just something to think about.

November 17, 2011 at 5:01 pm |

jez

Just how many wars do you want America to get in? We can't change all the crazies in the world – I certainly don't to be the world-police!

Why does President Obama have to speak out on something that happens in another country? Where's Queen Elizabeth? Is the US responsible for everybody in the world? Yeah, let's have another war on borrowed dollars.

He is the pres. of the UNITED STATES, not the whole world. There is only so much he can do. What is he going to do?? Make more promises to fix things that he cant possibly fix on his own??? He can whine and complain to all the high ups, but i doubt that will do any good, maybe start another war.. then end up trying to govern another country that we have NO BUSINESS doing. I think out-ing them was a good move on CNN and the author's part!

If he spoke out about all the nastiness in the world he would have no time at all to try to get things done with the Republicans blocking every move in order to make him look bad. You have fallen for their ruse. Heck, if he spoke about just the nastiness in the US he would still have no time to govern. Since when was a president supposed to be god on every issue?

Who cares, let Obama take care of America, and let the other countries take care of their own mess. If you are truely concerned about the welfare of these other countries, why don't you volenteer to put YOUR life on the line instead of putting OUR troops lives on the line. They signed up for this country, not that country.

Where is our President in speaking out for these atrocities??? I voted for change in 2008 and all I got was a chump who doesn't lead. We need a real leader in the WH. Shame on Obama.
----------------------------------------------------------

I just talked with our President.
He is going to put on his superman costume, and fly over to Sinai
just to keep you happy.
If he cured cancer, you would scream
WHAT TOOK HIM SO LONG.........
Freaking MORON !!!!!

You complain he isn't doing enough here, now you want to complain because he isn't doing anything about these atrocities yet, and when he does something you'll start complaining about he shouldn't be getting involved in that because they don't want us there and he should do things here. Complain complain. Your like a Republican tea bag Nazi. You'll ruin this country so that you can make him look bad. YOU REPUBLICAN TEA BAG NAZI

Obama is not in charge of policing the world. He needs to focus on what is going on at home. Fix our problems before we try to fix the world. What is going on there sucks but this is going on in Egypt's back yard. This needs to be fixed by them. That being said we have plenty of problems in our own back yard. If we are going to try and fix some problems let us work on fixing some of the problems in Mexico.

You can't really help someone until you can take care of yourself. That goes for countries as well as individuals. Once you have your own house in order, then maybe you can give someone that leg up. That being said, BO is not showing signs of understanding the politics of his allies, or economics.

Is this ping-pong? Enough of the "Obama did this", "Well, GWB did THIS", "yeah but Obama did this!" blahblahblahblah

Please shut up already with the stupid partisan posts.

November 17, 2011 at 1:55 pm |

Grace Of The Witch

*** f

I agree. And yet...he is on a "working" vacation AGAIN !! in the wrong part of the world.
------------------------------------------
I bet he gets more done on his vacation, than you do sitting here gripping like a four year old.

November 17, 2011 at 4:57 pm |

Truth

So what is wrong in America even in a bad economy it is still better than any country in the world. I think the problem is not from political but greed at the individual level which has caused a corrupt society in every way. Where everything is about what can make me money not about the possible harm or damage to society. As a result people so called in pursuit of their american dream to live lavishly have gotten so comfortable that they continue to streth their limits to see how much they can get away, while continuing to ruin and destry the less fortunate, hence the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. Therefore, the media and greedy corporations are like the cancer of society that continue to corrupt and spread its immoral deeds.

Shame on Egypt! This is their territory. They should have sent in troops to rescue these people, but instead they are complicit in the slave trade. The change in Egyptian leadership has not improved things...

Yeah, and then we OUTLAWED it, then we continued to pursue the often messy and violent transition from slavery to today's conditions (Not Perfect, but not harvesting organs, either).

November 17, 2011 at 1:58 pm |

ricky

Yes and 500,000 white people died fighting to end slavery.

November 17, 2011 at 4:15 pm |

LoatheIgnorance

Are you joking? Do you know what European "christians" used to do to African slaves on sugar plantations? They forced them to wear metal masks that were locked on their faces so that they couldn't suck on the sugar cane (since they were starving and working in 100 degree weather all day). It was so hot and they worked so long, sometimes when they took off the masks, their skin was ripped right off with it. How dare you people utter a single word about any other human beings on this planet. How.Dare.You.

Hmmmm.....Egypt, Iz.lamik country, slavery. It figures. These people have run slavery and ransom trade for centuries and continue to do so. These and the pirates of Somalia are all members of the same organized crime group, Iz.lam.

Not a lot said about Israel's role. Note that they are willing to take in and care for these refugees where nobody else is doing so. Interesting that after Israel gave back the Sinai to Egypt as part of the peace agreement, Egypt still has little or no control over the area. Why were they so interested in getting it back?

Because it is a huge buffer zone. Not that they knew what to do with it during the Six Day War. They didn't think tanks could cross the desert.....WRONG. They just wanted it back because they lost it to the Israelis, and they also lost a hell of a lot of face too.

thank you journalists.. eventually the few good ones out there who put their lives on the line to get the truth out there actually help facilitate good change... and thank you to the people who listened and did something to make the atrocities stop.. I am embarrassed that all I have done to support ending slavery was say prayers and write this meager email of thanks..

And why would these poor unfortunates want to go to Israel? Because Israelis, living on that tiny sliver of land, will take them in and show compassion, unlike the Arab nations that only care about oil and money.

USA is the master mind of all this, if usa keeps its hands out of the cookie jar (AFRICA) to begin with, we would not have to talk about this now. We should look as to who is behind all is and why, all these luxury we have here is coming at a cost of other humans lives just like us, countries by creating instability in the horn of africa and UN/just started Human Trafficking in Eritrea and Ethiopia Sudan after raping them promising them there is a greener grass on the other side to cause innocent people to flee their beloved country for economical reasons not knowing what the other side has waiting for them. We should ask Susan Rise US Ambassador to the UN in NYC. She has all the answers as to why this is happening, am sure she wont tell the truth, but we all know the truth if we know where to look. We should be very careful of who we elect to lead our community and country. CNN needs to tell the truth about where this all started from, thats if they want.
May GOD bless all the victims and R.I.P to those who died, to those who do evil may GOD give them what they deserve.
for more info, http://www.fpif.org/ , http://www.dehai.org

December 16, 2011 at 5:13 am |

togirl

I visited the Sinai when Israel still held it; it is huge and desolate and not a place you want to be without supplies and support.

Notice they went to israel for help; certainly the Egyptians didn't do very much for them. Egypt isn't interested in really doing anything with Sinai; it's just a buffer zone between it and other states (meaning Israel). Israel probably liked Sinai for the same thing.

Stories like this make me want to go on a rampage and simply kill anyone and everyone who has spitefully used and abused another human being. No need to send an army, just line up the ones that need to be put down and stand back.

Most of the world condemns the U.S. for doing too much or doing too little. I figure it's time the sit-back-and-do-nothing-but-bi+++ countrys step up and handle things like this situation. Let them dig water wells and feed the hungry, stop pirates and human trafficking. No? Then sit down and say thank you to someone who's trying. And for individuals here, in the midst of crabbing and complaining, are you donating ANY time or money to organizations who are working against something like this?? And before you ask, yes I am.

As an Eritrean, my heart breaks when I read these stories of what my people are going through in order to find a better life. As long as the dictator in Eritrea stays in power, this will continue. Eritreans fought for freedom for 30 years and this is what we end up with.
My heart breaks...

The USA only gets involved if they benefit from something. America is hypocritical and criminal. America is exploiting its own peope and destroying the American dream for all middle class Americans. America will get what it deserves and justice will be done some day.

You know, some of you GOP are the epitomy of hypocrisy! Were you not the same group of people that ridiculed and bashed Obama when he decided to get involved with Libya? In fact, some of you wanted to impeach him. Then when you were all proven wrong, that President Obama really did choose to do things in the right way in Libya, none of you are humble enough to admit you were wrong.

So now, you want to bash Obama for not jumping in this issues in this part of Africa. When he makes a move, you tell him it's the wrong move. When Obama doesn't move, you criticize him to tell him "why aren't you moving?". I think if Obama could walk on water to save a child drowning, you guys would criticize him for not diving in head first in the water fast enough!

I agree with you that the GOP is the epitome of hypocrisy, but your only half right. The Democrats are just as hypocritical. It's all rather ridiculous how both sides accuse each other of the same thing while the leaders of both sides continue to stuff their pockets and laugh. Obama and W included.

Ahh Regardless of the outcome he went around Congress and that was wrong. I will not bash him on Africa because the truth of the matter is we have our own pressing issues here, that he can not handle properly. How can any liberal who is so set to decrease military funding support a President that (once again) while on vacation decides that we need more military in the Pacific.

See, that's what I mean. You're actually commenting about Obama going on vacation for as few amounts of days as he has in his presidency so far, as if he's never on the job. I mean you clearly sound like someone that has a personal bias against Obama, just reaching for straws. Do we have to actually quote facts about how few vacations President Obama has taken in comparison to the previous administration, or other presidents? GWB took way more vacations than Obama, but AT THE LEAST he had democrats trying to work with him. The GOP have blatantly told this current POTUS that their goal is to make him a 1 term president.

Tell me how you would feel if someone told you on your job that their main focus is to make sure you leave, and have no chance of coming back! I'd want to take a vacation as well. That's not the job of congress to just disagree with another. They're job is to work together, to legislate bills, so that the POTUS, the Executive branch, can make it LAW! That's what they're supposed to be doing.

It's not a dictatorship, EVERYONE has to work together. That's exactely how the founding father's designed the 3 branches of government.

November 17, 2011 at 2:46 pm |

Sean

@Philadelphia

Again you are only half right. Were as TWM does seem to have a bias against liberals. And fall into the red vs blue my team is better than yours nonsense. You seem to have one toward defending Obama. The fact is he did go around Congress. I’m no GOP, but your messiah Obama is just as bad.

Independent or you’re sheep.

November 17, 2011 at 3:20 pm |

Grace Of The Witch

**** TWM

Ahh Regardless of the outcome he went around Congress and that was wrong
________________________________________________________________

The President can send troops any place without the approval of congress
for up to 90 days.
We sent NO troops into Libya
we just supported NATO.

Next gripe, please.

November 17, 2011 at 5:20 pm |

marsha gilliam

It is alarming, appalling, disgraceful and every other wicked word that describes such inhumane treatment of another person all for money. What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world; but loses his soul! Judgement Day is coming!

This is at ted...Obama has had more apearances on TV than any other pres. I think he wants to be an actor. Every time I see TV, I see him. He even did the "View". Why don't you watch tv...or better yet try reading something besides CNN's reports!

What else would FOX/FAUX News fill up their "news" hour about if they didn't tell you that. I guess all of the GOP presidential candidates demand your attention as well, since they all have, AND USE twitter and facebook accounts, right? And they have all been on tv recently more than once...

It's all your perception as to what you want to make more important, or less important than what it really is.

November 17, 2011 at 2:54 pm |

TWM

Philadelphia again you are wrong: Obama goes on TV regularly to speak on any topic. Now we also have him campaigning again. The other Candidates are campaigning for a job. They have to appear in the national spotlight to garner voters knowledge of them. Fox news?? perhaps I can help you. Go to an independent news site and see what both sides do not want you to see.

November 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm |

Grace Of The Witch

If President Obama was not on TV, you would be shouting.....
why is he hiding
what is he up to
why doesnt he talk to America....

This guy just cant win with you freaking Republicans.
Everything you scream about with Obama,
was just FINE under Bush.

It's funny how every situation turns into something about Obama. Yes, I feel sorry about what's going on in Africa, especially as a Black American but I'm just that, an AMERICAN. Every time a president takes on the problems of another country we end up with more American lives lost than any other. We need to focus on what's happening here first with homes being lost, jobs being lost, etc. before we worry about someone or somewhere else.

there is nothing no news worthy about this. As you can see the scale of this issue is nothing compare to whats happening in China or any country in this modern era. This is beyond slavery this is sickness imagine having your organs ripped out alive. So lets not get carried away with the little chit chatter but commend what CNN has done saved 600 human beings.

They act like life is going to be great for these freed slaves, but where the hell do they go now? It's still an uphill battle for all of them. Sometimes slavery isn't the worst thing you could be going through

It's all the Israeli's fault. They gave the Sinai back to Egypt and allowed this to happen. What a bunch of evil people those Israeli's are. They kidnapped the Lindberg baby too. (Oh, and shot both the Kennedy's and caused the stock market crash of 1929 and 1987)

Fred and Mohamed,
Thank you for shedding light for the plight of the African immigrant, I am really heart broken when I see this kind of evil deeds in 21 century.
Thank you again for bringing up this story to the world, hope to see a those criminals brought to justice.

Moses is a myth. There is no record of any of that in the Egyptian records and they were kind of obsessive about recording things. I have, though, always found it hilarious that the Jews claim to have wandered the desert for 40 years before god, through genocide, gave them the only land in the middle east with no oil.

Why is everyone so surprised? Egypt just toppled a corrupt government that spent all its time enriching itself. They have never ever cared what the tribal cheifs did in their desert! Slave trade has existed in this part of the world for thousands of years. Our itty bitty outrage is not going to stop it.

I'll always say this; US and Europe are in bad shape right now financially. But, there is a world to see in Africa where eating a 3 square meal is not common. Think about that and be grateful for what you have today folks.
PS: speaking from experience

Isn't The Multi-National Force and Observers still deployed in the Sinai? While they do not have responsibility for trafficing or other crimes I would think that they would have at least had some information on this level of trafficing.

I am so proud of CNN. Keep the good work. I myself were a one time refugee. It relieves my heart that the good fight that CNN is fighting for is actually bearing a fruit, like always. Can you (CNN) also please take a look at one other serious issue which the whole world may not aware of . UNHCR in Nairobi Kenya is believed to holding refugees capitives and members and other staff within UNHCR (the biggest refugee organization in the world) have been selling refugees's stories to other refugees for couple of thousands of dollars so that the other refugees could recieve increased humanitarian protection and resettlemnt to other countries. By this very reason many deserving refugees have been held captive and have no one to talk . Please CNN do something about this as well. Thank you so much!!!

The persons who were enslaved and then murdered in trafficking must be remembered as free men first. The desert is littered with the bodies of men, women and children. These are people – not slaves. It's astonishing to find that though they were seeking freedom from so many other ills (from those who had so much freedom to give), they found themselves bound by mindless and uncompassionate greed. Perhaps, true slavery is to a mindset that binds man and causes him to abuse other men for gain. There is true slavery.

Why is it that everytime something happens around the world it Obama fault. He doing the best he can with the mess he was left with.
------------------------------------------------------------
Its called "Republicanism".
I hear its a terrible disease.
Try very hard not to catch it.

So let me get this straight, these people were enslaved and tortured by the peace loving Muslims. Then when released the first place they want to go is Israel. Explain to me again why we should not support Israel.

couldnt imagine why muslim refugees would cross the entire length of egypt and sudan just to make it to israel who according to sources like cnn is actively engaged in a genocide of muslim peoples...
i just find it pretty telling.

I feel so pity to the victims. I hope that those who have been rescued and delivered from the slavery will be find. I also commend CNN for having this kind of news format. This is what I really really like. I'm following this kind of news.

Africans released from one group of Slave Masters into another group of Slave Masters in Israel. Israel has never been any friend to Black People. Ask the 50,000 Ethopian Jews who went into Israel several yrs ago

Musicman, why don't you go and play with your guitar? Or should I say ukelele. If Israel is so unfriendly to the black people why do they keep coming by the tens of thousands, risking their lives? Is it because the Arabs so friendly to the black people? Or the black peoples themselves friendly to each other? I guess life was so lovey-dovey in Eritrea that it got so boring they just had to go to Sinai and make it interesting. Too bad they ended up in Israel and now they can walk the streets freely, work and get proper medical treatment.

A typical response from a nation whose mind is still in the Middle Age. Where has prayers brought you Filipino people? Your dependence on Christianity has made you the most backward, corrupt and poorest country in Asia, and the rest of the world despise you for it. And lying and cheating has become part of your culture to make matter worse. Learn responsibility, accountability, reasoning (versus memorization) and thinking and you'll get somewhere. Your value system has made you not only a failed society but a failed culture.

Israel opens its borders with open arms to those who are oppressed. Its neighbors on the other hand continue to practice inequality, persecute religions other than Islam, oppress women and gays, and brainwash their children with lies about the west.

How could you say this is a lie? Why don't you go and visit the camps where these Africans are in Israel or better yet how about the different detention camps all over the middle east where there is horrific treatments being done to these Africans. But that is only if you truly are looking for the truth.

I hope people will take note that Israel accepted these unfortunate people with open arms and will undoubtedly provide top notch care for them. This is not the first time they have done this, look back to 1991 and Operation Solomon. Israelis can be very nice people if you're trying to blow them up. I wish all of these folks the best.

There is much to debate with regards to not only the United States condition(s), but many other countries conditions as well. But I think any effort put forth by anyone or many persons, or organizations to better the world and lives of the people in it- at any capacity is to be sincerely appreciated. Therefore, I find it very appropriate to acknowledge CNN and their News Correspondents that did an amazing job in contributing to a change for the better. As long as we have people who take into consideration the wellbeing of everyone and continue to help, such as all those involved in this story, I am hopeful progress will be made, even if not immediately, but at least it is will happen.

As i can see these days a lot of african migrants are flowing to sinai. there are three types of smuglers the ones whoagree once for 2500usds till the border to isreal and the other group who take the refugees captive and ask like 30000usd apart from their agreement and a third one is once the rashayda from the eritrean border with sudan abdact the refugee and sell him or her to the bodouin tribes in sinai then after thos bodouins exort hug sums from their families, keeping the above in mind.
those said around 600 refugees crosed to isreal and where only stayed in sinai for not more than a week and didnt exprience any torture or violence must be from the first group of smuglers as lots of the smuglers are taking poeple these days.other wise those smuglers who exort 30000usds and kill and extract organs are still keeping their prisoners stil captive and are torturing them violently. i personaly been cotacting them today and are still asking for 30000usds or kill eventhough CNN did a great job in exposing and bringign hope to those hopeles and becoming voice for those voice less but lots of african refugees are still suffering..

Gosh, why did they not flee to Gaza, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon instead of Israel?
CNN reporters consistently refer to Israel as an apartheid state, so why would slaves run to Israel?
Simple, CNN k ows full well that Israel is the only democracy in the middle east.
G-d bless Israel for showing the world the truth!

i would like to thank the CNN new for reporting this in behalf of our refugees from east Africa who are suffering from this mind disturbing move on them. i am Eritrean and as you know the majority of those victims are Eritreans. i can't even explain my feelings right now. again thank you CNN and please keep up the good work . we are going to protest against this crime on November 28 in front of Egyptian embassy. we Eritreans appreciate ur support.

Israel to the rescue while Blacks and Liberals in America support Muslim Palestine, the every people who would murder them for their organs. Israel is the Super Hero of the world, like Batman everyone condemns Israel but when the dung hits the fan they all run to the Jews for salvation.

Israel to the rescue while Blacks and Liberals in America support Muslim Palestine (farakhon and friends), the very people who would murder them for their organs and their color of their skin. Israel is the Super Hero of the world, like Batman everyone condemns Israel but when the dung hits the fan they all run to the Jews for salvation. Blacks need to stop supporting Islam, the most racist religion on the planet.

i Agree, most misinformed and hardly know what their talking about but follow certain lunatics like farakan or other deranged so called black leaders who equally contribute to the atrocities of blacks in America, psychologically draining and corrupting the minds.

This should be another warning to Africans. Arabs are your open enemy and have been for thousands fo years! They are not your brothers in the faith as they created that faith to enslave your minds! Wipe thee out of Africa and take back thyne Egypt!

I am neither democrat nor republican. I have considered the rising and falling fortunes of the United States of America for about thirty years. I am struck, perhaps even saddened, by how Americans have been pitted against one another even though they share similar needs and have basically similar goals. What are you accomplishing by this endless squabbling? Has it occurred to any of you that some person or group of persons stand to gain when both sides bicker and lose sight of your common, shared goals? "Values" are being used to pit you against your selves. From what I can tell, you will never be able to figure this out until significant maturation takes place. But then...what do I know....

Congratulations, Steve Pleitgen and CNN. It's rare that we are able to do something in life that makes such a difference to others, and you've done it. Apart from the 600 terrorized people that were released, a kingpin of organ trafficking is gone, a community shame eliminated, and a lot of other people won't end up enslaved, raped and dead.

I am Eritrean ....and those being killed and tortured are also mostly eritreans i cant control my feelings. thanks CNN.. BUT LET ME REMIND YOU THAT AROUND 450 OTHERS ARE STILL CAPTIVE AND FACING THE SAME .....I personally have a contact number which i am contacting them recently still the same thing is happening to them... any one who can show me what to do or to whom to tell the numbers so that they are located and saved...

I agree their is some there who also need attention i dont think the problem is over. I have a family member which they asked for 30k for his release also. If not done today i hope they will release them soon we already made some payment but with the condition their is no way they continue to do this these animals. With support of the good bedouns and the world i hope they kill those group of devils.

"African Americans" This is nothing new on the continent from which you come, is it. This has been going on for 1000's of years. It was your own people that sold tribal people into slavery to the West Dutch Indies Company. This continent is familiar with slavery is based on simple economics.

this tells me how cruel the east Africa leader Eritrea is...... because people are still preferring to thought this journey after all this, at least they have enough information now. the chose is there's But THANK YOU CNN!!

The following letter has been making the rounds in the USA and Israel – My name is A.A. I am 25 years old, was born in Brooklyn NY, and raised in Efrat Israel. Though very busy, I don’t view my life as unusual. Most of the time, I am just another Israeli citizen. During the day I work as a paramedic in Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMS service. At night, I’m in my first year of law school. I got married this October and am starting a new chapter of life together with my wonderful wife S.
15-20 days out of every year, I'm called up to the Israeli army to do my reserve duty. I serve as a paramedic in an IDF paratrooper unit. My squad is made up of others like me; people living normal lives who step up to serve whenever responsibility calls. The oldest in my squad is 58, a father of four girls and grandfather of two; there are two bankers, one engineer, a holistic healer, and my 24 year old commander who is still trying to figure out what to do with his life. Most of the year we are just normal people living our lives, but for 15-20 days each year we are soldiers on the front lines preparing for a war that we hope we never have to fight.
This year, our reserve unit was stationed on the border between Israel, Egypt and the Gaza Strip in an area called “Kerem Shalom.” Above and beyond the “typical” things for which we train – war, terrorism, border infiltration, etc., this year we were confronted by a new challenge. Several years ago, a trend started of African refugees crossing the Egyptian border from Sinai into Israel to seek asylum from the atrocities in Darfur. What started out as a small number of men, women and children fleeing from the machetes of the Janjaweed and violent fundamentalists to seek a better life elsewhere, turned into an organized industry of human trafficking. In return for huge sums of money, sometimes entire life savings paid to Bedouin “guides,” these refugees are promised to be transported from Sudan, Eritrea, and other African countries through Egypt and the Sinai desert, into the safe haven of Israel.
We increasingly hear horror stories of the atrocities these refugees suffer on their way to freedom. They are subject to, and victims of extortion, rape, murder, and even organ theft, their bodies left to rot in the desert. Then, if lucky, after surviving this gruesome experience whose prize is freedom, when only a barbed wire fence separates them from Israel and their goal, they must go through the final death run and try to evade the bullets of the Egyptian soldiers stationed along the border. Egypt’s soldiers are ordered to shoot to kill anyone trying to cross the border OUT of Egypt and into Israel. It’s an almost nightly event.
For those who finally get across the border, the first people they encounter are Israeli soldiers, people like me and those in my unit, who are tasked with a primary mission of defending the lives of the Israeli people. On one side of the border soldiers shoot to kill. On the other side, they know they will be treated with more respect than in any of the countries they crossed to get to this point.
The region where it all happens is highly sensitive and risky from a security point of view, an area stricken with terror at every turn. It’s just a few miles south of the place where Gilad Shalit was kidnapped. And yet the Israeli soldiers who are confronted with these refugees do it not with rifles aimed at them, but with a helping hand and an open heart. The refugees are taken to a nearby IDF base, given clean clothes, a hot drink, food and medical attention. They are finally safe.
Even though I live in Israel and am aware through media reports of the events that take place on the Egyptian border, I never understood the intensity and complexity of the scenario until I experienced it myself.
In the course of the past few nights, I have witnessed much. At 9:00 PM last night, the first reports came in of gunfire heard from the Egyptian border. Minutes later, IDF scouts spotted small groups of people trying to get across the fence. In the period of about one hour, we picked up 13 men – cold, barefoot, dehydrated – some wearing nothing except underpants. Their bodies were covered with lacerations and other wounds. We gathered them in a room, gave them blankets, tea and treated their wounds. I don’t speak a word of their language, but the look on their faces said it all and reminded me once again why I am so proud to be a Jew and an Israeli. Sadly, it was later determined that the gunshots we heard were deadly, killing three others fleeing for their lives.
During the 350 days a year when I am not on active duty, when I am just another man trying to get by, the people tasked with doing this amazing job, this amazing deed, the people witnessing these events, are mostly young Israeli soldiers just out of high school, serving their compulsory time in the IDF, some only 18 years old.
The refugees flooding into Israel are a heavy burden on our small country. More than 100,000 refugees have fled this way, and hundreds more cross the border every month. The social, economic, and humanitarian issues created by this influx of refugees are immense. There are serious security consequences for Israel as well. This influx of African refugees poses a crisis for Israel. Israel has yet to come up with the solutions required to deal with this crisis effectively, balancing its’ sensitive social, economic, and security issues, at the same time striving to care for the refugees.
I don’t have the answers to these complex problems which desperately need to be resolved. I’m not writing these words with the intention of taking a political position or a tactical stand on the issue.
I am writing to tell you and the entire world what’s really happening down here on the Egyptian/Israeli border. And to tell you that despite all the serious problems created by this national crisis, these refugees have no reason to fear us. Because they know, as the entire world needs to know, that Israel has not shut its eyes to their suffering and pain. Israel has not looked the other way. The State of Israel has put politics aside to take the ethical and humane path as it has so often done before, in every instance of human suffering and natural disasters around the globe. We Jews know only too well about suffering and pain. The Jewish people have been there. We have been the refugees and the persecuted so many times, over thousands of years, all over the world.
Today, when African refugees flood our borders in search of freedom and better lives, and some for fear of their lives, it is particularly noteworthy how Israel deals with them, despite the enormous strain it puts on our country on so many levels.
Our young and thriving Jewish people and country, built from the ashes of the Holocaust, do not turn their backs on humanity. Though I already knew that, this week I once again experienced it firsthand. I am overwhelmed with emotion and immensely proud to be a member of this nation.
A.A. – Writing from the Israel/Gaza/Egyptian border.

Josh what you presented is perfec true.........I need one thing from you I have a cellphone number with isreali country code where i am contacting a group of refuges which are under the bodouins gangs still asking them to pay 30000 usds or kill.is it possible to give me back the global coordinates of that cellphone to lacate them and inform the humaniterians in that area so that they cordinate with security of that area to free thise poor people. if i give you that number.
thanks

November 18, 2011 at 9:34 am |

Zendi

Appalling...my heart bleeds for the refugees! Risking their lives, though survival chance is slim. Luckily, for those who successfully made it through the borders, the Jews are playing Good Samaritans and ready to rescue them... @Josh, thanks for detailing the horrible conditions that the migrants had been through in crossing the borders just to gain freedom. It is an eye-opener, a glaring reality that barbarism is still practiced until now. I pray this dreadful things would end soon!

December 17, 2011 at 5:58 am |

Anti Bedounis

Thanks Fred Pleitgen (CNN) for exposing the atrocities committed by these cannibals. I am an Eritrean who lives in USA. I felt heart broken after i heard about the crimes in sinai against African refugees.

Those butchers (Bedouins) slaughtered my brothers and sisters. Where is thier FAKE RELIGION, MORAL, ETHICS........... i used to respect those people in that region. No more!

The religious leaders and authorites in Egypt did nothing to help the victims. What kind of human being does such things to another. These are Devil's angels. Shame on them!

I haven't read all the comments, but it seems to me that nobody realizes what a strange situation we have here: non-jewish refugees trying to get to Israel, crossing muslim countries to rejoin a country decried in many parts of the world as the worst apartheid state in the universe! I suppose some people know the truth...

The presentation of this information about Sinai has been a useful means to inform the world about a serious problem. However, it was mentioned by CNN and their informants that as a result of their special that the American University in Cairo was to have a conference about the ICC that would include discussion about Sinai. This is NOT true. This conference was organized before the special and was not intended to discuss Sinai. I hope that CNN will check with reliable resources before posting information. Thanks.

thank's God ,thank's fred and all CNN members who help the victims from those non human being,cruel,servants of devil... .they stop someone's life to contunue another life for money.but that show us what a cruel god they have,but our GOD is GOD of mercy and the all mighty GOD will save the rest victims.

Many of the refugees are fleeing persecution. Eritrea imprisons people who are just praying and having Bible study in their homes, because they are Christians and not Muslim. They imprison them in shipping containers with no sanitation, and little food and water. Some of them have died because of these conditions–young people in their teens and 20's!! That is why there are these refugees wanting to get out. And then they encounter other Muslims who extort money from them and are horrifyingly murdering and raping them?!! Thousands of them are suffering in this way. Eritrea is particularly horrible in their persecution of Christians.

Thank you, Israel, for helping them. And all who care about them enough to pray for them and help them. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Someday (hopefully never, but...) US citizens could be refugees fleeing our invaded country. So care now for these poor people,, and maybe it will go well with you if it happens to you as a citizen of the USA.

you people are stupid..i am egyptian myself..and Slavery is outlawed in Egypt..these are only Bedouins meaning they live in Sinai and do everything they want because no one sees them..and the Egyptian army has nothing to do with African people being slaves to them or not..they are ordered to shot anyone.even myself if i tried crossing ..so blame the Bedouins not Egyptians and sure not the the Egyptian government
for those saying Islam ISLAM..Slavery Excited in Ancient Egypt..religions didn't even exist back then

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